Abstract: An implement for an agricultural vehicle including a toolbar and a pair of marking devices pivotally connected to the toolbar. Each marking device includes at least one arm configured for pivoting between a stored position and an operational position, and a retention device supported by the toolbar and configured for providing a magnetic retention force which magnetically retains the at least one arm in the stored position.

Abstract: A pneumatic seed delivery system is provided for use with planter for row-crop planting an agricultural field in which the pneumatic seed delivery system may use high pressure air to accelerate seeds that are singulated from a seed meter to match ground speed when planting. The pneumatic seed delivery system includes an air accelerator arranged downstream of a release location of the seed meter. The air accelerator may define a pneumatic device such as an air conveyor or air amplifier that merges a primary airflow with a controllable supplemental airflow to provide a correspondingly controllable combined airflow that carries and accelerates the singulated seeds so that the seeds can be released with a rearward horizontal seed velocity component that approximates a forward ground speed of the planter to reduce seed tumble.

Abstract: A pneumatic seed delivery system is provided for use with planter for row-crop planting an agricultural field in which the pneumatic seed delivery system may use high pressure air to accelerate seeds that are singulated from a seed meter to match ground speed when planting. The pneumatic seed delivery system includes an air accelerator arranged downstream of a release location of the seed meter. The air accelerator may define a pneumatic device such as an air conveyor or air amplifier that merges a primary airflow with a controllable supplemental airflow to provide a correspondingly controllable combined airflow that carries and accelerates the singulated seeds so that the seeds can be released with a rearward horizontal seed velocity component that approximates a forward ground speed of the planter to reduce seed tumble.

Abstract: An agricultural implement system that includes a row unit coupled to a tool bar of an agricultural implement. An opener system coupled to the row unit that engages soil to form a trench. A soil condition sensor. A closing system that closes the trench created by the opener system. The closing system includes a first disk that engages the soil and closes the trench. A second disk that engages the soil and closes the trench. A controller that couples to the soil condition sensor and controls a position or orientation of the first disk or the second disk in response to feedback from the soil condition sensor.

Abstract: A dual-disk seed meter for a planter may include a housing defining a first seed chamber configured to receive first seeds of a first seed type and a second seed chamber configured to receive second seeds of a second seed type. The seed meter may also include a first seed disk rotatable within the housing to convey the first seeds from the first seed chamber, a second seed disk rotatable within the housing to convey the second seeds from the second seed chamber, and a drive assembly configured to simultaneously rotate the first and second seed disks. In addition, the seed meter may include a seed deflector movable relative to the first seed disk and/or the second seed disk to control which of the seed types is discharged from the housing based on a selected seed type to be delivered by the seed meter.

Abstract: A vacuum seed meter includes a vacuum channel and a seed disc having seed cells defined as openings through a perimeter region of the seed disc, which rotates through the vacuum channel. The seed meter includes a sensor that addresses the seed cells in a way that enables prediction of imminent seed starvation of the seed meter.

Abstract: A pneumatic seed delivery system is provided for use with planter for row-crop planting an agricultural field in which the pneumatic seed delivery system may use high pressure air to accelerate seeds that are singulated from a seed meter to match ground speed when planting. The pneumatic seed delivery system includes an air accelerator arranged downstream of a release location of the seed meter. The air accelerator may define a pneumatic device such as an air conveyor or air amplifier that merges a primary airflow with a controllable supplemental airflow to provide a correspondingly controllable combined airflow that carries and accelerates the singulated seeds so that the seeds can be released with a rearward horizontal seed velocity component that approximates a forward ground speed of the planter to reduce seed tumble.

Abstract: In one aspect, a method for monitoring seed meter operation may include operating a seed meter such that seeds are transported by a seed transport member of the seed meter from a seed acquisition region to a separate location for subsequent discharge from the seed meter. In addition, the method may include receiving an index signal from a sensor located within a portion of the seed meter across which an air pressure differential exists to allow seeds to be transported by the seed transport member and receiving a timing signal associated with an extent to which the seed transport member has been rotated within the seed meter following receipt of the index signal. The method may also include evaluating data from the sensor based on the timing signal to identify at least one of the presence or absence of a seed within the one or more seeds cells of the seed transport member.

Abstract: A multi-variety seed meter can include a set of divider walls in a seed chamber to promote seed delivery on a first-in-first-out (FIFO) basis. This can be helpful to reduce the amount of seed variety mixing which may occur at transition points while planting in an agricultural field, since the first variety can be substantially exhausted from the seed meter before the second variety begins to get picked up by a seed transport member.

Abstract: A particulate material delivery system for an agricultural implement including, an inductor box configured to receive particulate material from a tank, the inductor box including, an inductor segment comprising a particulate material supply chamber configured to guide the particulate material toward a fluidization chamber, and an air supply chamber configured to receive airflow from an airflow supply, wherein the inductor box is configured to direct the airflow from the air supply chamber to the particulate material supply chamber through a first airflow path and through a second airflow path remote from the first air path

Abstract: In one aspect, a calibration method for a multi-variety seed meter may include terminating a supply of seeds to a seed meter and subsequently operating the seed meter to discharge seeds therefrom. Additionally, upon terminating the supply of seeds to the seed meter, the method may include monitoring a parameter indicative of an amount of seeds remaining within the seed pool based on data received from a first sensor. The method may also include monitoring an operation of the seed meter based on data received from a second sensor to identify the occurrence of a starvation event for the seed meter and determining a target value for the monitored parameter based at least in part on a starvation interval defined between the termination of the supply of seeds to the seed meter and the occurrence of the starvation event.

Abstract: A quick coupling for a flexible tube has an outer annular element with a bayonet connection and a central bore which receives an annular insert having two arcuate sections and holding the flexible tube in place through barbs. The inserts are removable from the outer annular coupling by means of a detent at which point the arcuate sections may be easily removed from the flexible tube.

Abstract: A particulate material delivery system for an agricultural implement includes an inductor box configured to receive particulate material from a tank. The inductor box includes an inductor segment comprising a particulate material supply chamber configured to guide the particulate material toward a fluidization chamber, and an air supply chamber configured to receive airflow from an airflow supply. The inductor box is configured to direct the airflow from the air supply chamber to the particulate material supply chamber through a first airflow path and through a second airflow path remote from the first air path.

Abstract: A particulate material delivery system for an agricultural implement includes an inductor box configured to receive particulate material from a tank. The inductor box includes an inductor segment comprising a particulate material supply chamber configured to guide the particulate material toward a fluidization chamber, and an air supply chamber configured to receive airflow from an airflow supply. The inductor box is configured to direct the airflow from the air supply chamber to the particulate material supply chamber through a first airflow path and through a second airflow path remote from the first air path.

Abstract: A multiple variety seed meter for multi-variety row crop planting includes a segmented sump that may have an active sump segment and an inactive sump segment. A seed switching arrangement is used to select which seed variety is available in the active sump segment for exposure to a seed disk for singulation by a seed disk for delivery onto the agricultural field while planting.

Abstract: A pre-metering system for feeding different types of seed into a seed meter of a planter includes separate feeder wheels that are selectively rotated to deliver different types of seed from on-row storage into the seed meter at a given time. The feeder wheels may be supported by a feeder wheel carrier that may also support various wall and ramped structures, such as upright divider walls and sloped walls that maintain separation between the different types of seeds in the on-row storage and direct the different types of seed toward the individual feeder wheels.

Abstract: A pre-metering system for feeding different types of seed into a seed meter of a planter includes separate feeder wheels that are selectively rotated to deliver different types of seed from on-row storage into the seed meter at a given time. The feeder wheels may be supported by a feeder wheel carrier that may also support various wall and ramped structures, such as upright divider walls and sloped walls that maintain separation between the different types of seeds in the on-row storage and direct the different types of seed toward the individual feeder wheels.

Abstract: A pneumatic distribution system for an agricultural implement includes an inductor box having output ports and row units configured to receive an agricultural product and airflow from the output ports. A conduit system extends between the output ports of the inductor box and the row units. The conduit system is configured to direct the agricultural product and the airflow from each output port to a respective row unit. The conduit system includes a first conduit assembly extending between a first output port and a first row unit. The conduit system also includes a second conduit assembly extending between a second output port and a second row unit. A first average diameter of the first conduit assembly is smaller than a second average diameter of the second conduit assembly by at least approximately one percent.

Abstract: When performing a seed planting operation, a variety change distance may be calculated that corresponds to the distance from a variety zone boundary of a prescription map that a row unit of a planter must be located prior to initiating a variety change procedure for switching seed types. Once the row unit reaches a variety change boundary spaced apart from the variety zone boundary by the calculated variety change distance, a system controller may initiate the variety change procedure to allow the seed type being planted to be efficiently and effectively switched as the planter makes a planting pass across the field.

Abstract: In one aspect, a calibration method for a multi-variety seed meter may include terminating a supply of seeds to a seed meter and subsequently operating the seed meter to discharge seeds therefrom. Additionally, upon terminating the supply of seeds to the seed meter, the method may include monitoring a parameter indicative of an amount of seeds remaining within the seed pool based on data received from a first sensor. The method may also include monitoring an operation of the seed meter based on data received from a second sensor to identify the occurrence of a starvation event for the seed meter and determining a target value for the monitored parameter based at least in part on a starvation interval defined between the termination of the supply of seeds to the seed meter and the occurrence of the starvation event.